Between school, work ( I have 2 jobs now) and my kids I have not spent much time in the field. I did take a few hours on the way home from school to head from Butte to Llano Seco taking my favorite back country roads. I did see some great birds that day and got some great photos ( i am hoping to post some tonight). It was a great day to see Raptors. Turkey Vultures, Red Tailed Hawks, Red Shouldered Hawks, Osprey, American KEstrels, and Northern Harriers were all out in abundance. No Swainson's though. I saw and took some photos of a Kestrel chasing a Red Shoulder from it's perching position. That was cool, aggressive little bird!! Lots of RWBB in full display, Great Blue Herons ( a dozen) a few Great Egrets, Crows Yellow Billed Magpie, Marsh Wrens, House, White Crowned, and Golden Crowned Sparrows, White Faced Ibis(there 20 or so at Howard Slough), my first Wetsern Kingbirds( there were alot), Scrub Jays (too many), and assorted Waterfowl.
The most interesting sighting was of a All Dark Hawk. I think it was Rufous morph or Dark morph Red Tail but I am have never encountered one. I will posting a picture and seeking help from the wonderful contributors to the forum.
